Athletics, Clubs & Activities

South Decatur’s archery club is a certified National Archery in Schools Program (NASP) that our district offers to students in 4th through 12th grade of all genders, physical abilities, and backgrounds. NASP teaches International Style target archery that focuses on safety, technique, mental concentration, and self-improvement. NASP is currently in more than 13,000 schools in 47 states as well as other countries. South Decatur currently has three teams that include an elementary, middle school, and high school team. Our teams travel and participate in over a dozen tournaments in a season, including home tournaments, state, national, and world tournaments. Our teams and archers have won several awards, including state and national awards. Our archers can earn college scholarships as well as scholarships to state and national tournaments. Archery, a lifelong sport that nearly everyone can succeed at, has helped many students excel in many different aspects.

Fifth and sixth graders may choose to take band in place of their specials a few days a week. The students have class with the high school band director during their designated specials time.

Most important of all, Cub Scouts have fun, make friends, and learn how to get along with others. Scouting increases participants’ self-esteem and willingness to help others and gives them the tools to help them make good decisions and solve problems. Cub Scouts learn these valuable lessons at weekly meetings, campouts, science events, and parent weekends at camp, all with their friends and families.

Fifth and sixth grade boys basketball is an intramural sport. The boys play games against each other and also play North Decatur two times a year. The boys learn the basics of the game and develop a love for the sport.

When you unleash your inner G.I.R.L., you can accomplish anything! At Girl Scouts, the next opportunity to stand up, speak up, and take the lead is never far away. With us, you’ll discover the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)™ in you! Will you find a sustainable solution to a problem in your community? Will you explore the great outdoors? Build a robot? Learn to code? Conduct an experiment? With us, the possibilities are truly endless. Discover all you can be and everything you can accomplish when you have the right tools and a safe space to shine—and work together to change the world.

Fifth and sixth grade girls basketball is an intramural sport. The girls play games against each other and also play North Decatur two times a year. The girls learn the basics of the game and develop a love for the sport.

Each season, girls in third through fifth grade develop essential skills to help them discover who they are and what’s important to them, the value of teamwork and healthy relationships, and how they can have a positive impact on the world. Girls also make a meaningful contribution to their community through a team-organized Community Impact Project. Physical activity is woven into the program to inspire an appreciation for fitness and healthy habits and teach life skills, including treating others with care, practicing gratitude, and managing emotions. Each season culminates with a Girls on the Run 5K event. This celebratory, non-competitive event provides girls with a sense of accomplishment and instills the value of goal-setting at a young age.

Good News Club is a non-denominational, after-school Bible club that meets for two sessions each year. These four to six week sessions meet from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. on Monday nights and are fully staffed by enthusiastic volunteer ministers and lay leaders from the community churches in the area. Area churches donate all club expenses. The children receive a light supper, Bible lessons, and a time of worship in song. Good News Club is a nationwide Bible club sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Call Kelly Belt at 812-614-8090 for more information or to volunteer to help!

The SDES Choir is comprised of students in 5th and 6th grade. Mrs. Meeker directs our choir, and the only prerequisite for being in the choir is that you like to sing. Our choir meets once or twice a week during recess when they learn to sing songs in two-part harmony. The choir performs at the Veterans Day Concert, Christmas Sing-Along, 6th-grade graduation, and our annual Fine Arts Spring Fling.

Honors Art meets once a week for thirty minutes. It is comprised of fifth and sixth grade students who have a love for art and are very creative. We select students according to ability, creativity, and willingness to learn. These students have the opportunity to learn advanced art techniques and try new materials.

The SDES Tech Team is comprised of two students per homeroom in grades four through six and the team sponsor, Mrs. Bolton. We select Tech Team members through an application process each year. The Tech Team meets frequently to learn how to troubleshoot common iPad issues. They also learn about and help teach other students about computer programming.

Team sponsor Mrs. Bolton started the SDES Cougar Robotics team in September 2017. The team uses VEX IQ robotics kits to build robots that compete in official VEX IQ competitions. This club focuses on STEM subjects with an emphasis on mechanical engineering.

The SDES Student Council is for students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. Students should show leadership skills, be creative, and work well with others while representing the student body of South Decatur Elementary School. Prior to homeroom elections, interested students run a campaign in their homeroom and give speeches on why they would be good student council members. The boy and girl receiving the most votes represent their homeroom on the student council. Payten Ewing sponsors our student council.